A Guild Newbie says 'hello' to all

[Peter Z]

Hi, I'm Peter trom Austria. I hope this is the right place to introduce myself.
I play guitar since 1977, the first 23 years mostly electric but switched (almost exlusivly) to acoustics in 2000. My band is a six piece acoustic band with double bass, mandoline, banjo, guitars and drums.

Over the years I bought some nice Martins (000-1, OM-21, D-18MD), Gibsons (Southern Jumbo, SJ-200, Hummingbird, Dove) and a little walnut parlor Larrivee. And 2 drumsets and a double bass .... ok, I'll stop here, the list is much longer and I know, I'm crazy.

I came to this place because I was looking for a rosewood dread for a while but couldn't bond with the (H)D-28s I had in my hands.
The story ended with an order for a brand new Oxnard D55 and I'm awaiting that lady within the next few days. I had to rely on lots of youtube videos since there is no D55 around here and the pandemic wouldn't allow to test on if it was available.
There's not too much talking about newer D55s in this forum. Is there a reason? The videos and forum posts I found have been quite convincing.
Anyway I'm thrilled .... and impatient.

For those who know more, are there huge differences between older D55s and the post Ren Ferguson ones?

Thanks for reading and please excuse my Austrian-not-native-English!
I wish you a nice day and stay healthy

Peter

 

[krysh]

welcome peter,
conrats, great choice. the oxnard guilds are outstanding guitars - well in fact all guilds are outstanding!
post well, post often!

 

[davismanLV]

Welcome to LTG, Peter!! Thanks for the introduction. From everything I've heard the Oxnard, CA Guilds are highly respected and making a good impression on most people. Now that they're in mostly full production with economy and higher end models, more people are buying and trying these great Guilds. I think you're in for a treat and you can help us by letting us know what you think of your D55 !! Please let us know when it arrives and your impression of the new guitar!!

 

[Peter Z]

Thanks krysh and davisman for the warm welcome!
Of course I will come back and report. Since it's cold here in Austria I will have to wait for about one day till I can open the box. That will be a hard time!

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG from Munich/Germany! The Oxnard made D-55 has definitely some Ren Ferguson DNA in it. The "new" D-55 was introduced at Winter NAMM 2017, means January 2017, so development happened during 2016. Ren left Guild around August 2016 if I recall.
Guild began producing the first guitars in Oxnard late in 2015. The first models were the M-20 and D-20, followed by the D-55. So Ren definitely was involved in the development of the D-55.

Actually the NAMM 2017 press release read:
"The D-55 remains true to all the premium appointments of its 1968 predecessor, including a AAA Sitka spruce top, solid Indian Rosewood back and sides, ebony fingerboard and bridge, and nitrocellulose finish. Internal refinements include scalloped Adirondack bracing designed by master luthier Ren Ferguson, as well as an improved dovetail neck-joint, hand fit to make this generation of D-55 the lightest, loudest, and best-sounding yet. “We’re very proud of the guitars we’re now making here in the USA,” says President Jonathan Thomas. "They sound like beautiful worn-in Guilds from the 60s, and are so comfortable to play. Everyone can’t believe how responsive and light they are while still maintaining that huge classic Guild tone...and the D-55 has always been such gorgeous guitar. The aesthetics are a beautiful mix of premium woods and abalone and mother-of-pearl inlay work. It really represents the top of our USA craftsmanship.” "

Ralf

 

[Peter Z]

Thanks Ralf, my new Bavarian friend! Very interesting information. I'm so curious since I never owned a Guild and just had one in my hands, dacades ago. Thus, I have no idea what will join me and my guitar harem very soon. The guitar is 30km from me in a logistic center right now but I'm not sure if dpd will deliver today. I could be monday what means another 3 freezing days for the guitar.
Enjoy a 'Schweinshaxn' and a few beers!

 

[Stuball48]

Welcome Peter!
I have had two D55s and still have one with plans to keep it. Neither are Oxnard builds but a highly respected LTG member buys guitars - especially Guilds - like I buy fishing lures. He owns several Oxnards and thinks the Oxnard built Guilds are as or good as or superior to any Guilds built in any of the previous factories. Be careful as dang near impossible to own just one Guild. Play in good health and, excitedly, await your review.

 

[GGJaguar]

Welcome to LTG! I have a F-412 built in Oxnard and the build quality and sound are excellent so you can be confident that your D-55 will be superb. I look forward to your impressions of your new guitar after it arrives.

 

[SFIV1967]

Enjoy a 'Schweinshaxn' and a few beers!

That's a problem currently, all restaurants are still closed except takeaway. And a Schweinshaxn or Schweinsbraten as takeaway is no fun...
Ralf

 

[richardp69]

I have yet to be disappointed with an Oxnard built Guild. I've owned several different models and all were good. I do a fair amount of buying and selling so I'm down to two right now but I will most likely take those two to the grave.

Welcome to the forum!!!!

 

[Peter Z]

Hey guys, you make me even more excited.

@Stuball: you seem to be an early bird! Are you out for fishing?
Ok, I prepare myself for another Guild before receiving the first one. Actually while watching the youtibe videos I
heard a D40, that was sounding absolute fantastic.

@GG: I will let you know as soon as I played the D55 a bit.

@Ralf: I know, but cooking a Schweinsbraterl is quite easy! In days like this we have to adapt ourselves!

 

[Peter Z]

I have yet to be disappointed with an Oxnard built Guild. I've owned several different models and all were good. I do a fair amount of buying and selling so I'm down to two right now but I will most likely take those two to the grave.

Welcome to the forum!!!!

Thanks for letting me know.
And please don't hurry with that grave-thing. Let the Guilds age for some more 80 years before!

 

[richardp69]

Thanks for letting me know.
And please don't hurry with that grave-thing. Let the Guilds age for some more 80 years before!

Well, ya just never know. And, I was wrong. I actually have three Oxnard models. A D 20, a D 40T Deluxe and a F 50 GSR, all really nice.

 

[walrus]

Welcome to LTG, Peter!

walrus

 

[Uke]

Welcome, Peter! The only problem I find with LTG is that I let it keep me from actually playing my Guilds (like right now!). Also, as per your comment above, I bought (another) Guild this past December, and it too spent much more time in a freezing logistics center than I was comfortable with. However, it arrived in very good shape. Again, welcome from sunny Florida.

 

[Longnose Gar]

Welcome Peter! I have a 2018 Oxnard D-55E sunburst. My previous acoustic was a rosewood Martin D-16RGT. Very different guitars in terms of neck and sound. Took me a while to get used to the D-55 playing acoustically because I felt it projected sound while the Martin enveloped the player in sound. And it wasn't as loud. I shopped Taylors and Gibsons and the D-28, and the guy at Wildwood Guitars in Colorado described the D-55 as "so articulate". I think that's right on. To me the D-28 is warm and muddy compared to the smooth and clear D-55. I think the tone of the D-55 is improving with age. I mostly play plugged into my PA, and the LR Baggs pickup system is superb - I prefer playing plugged in to acoustically, it's so good. But sounds like you may have the non-pickup version. It smells good too. Enjoy!

 

[Peter Z]

You are too nice guys!

 

[Peter Z]

Welcome Peter! I have a 2018 Oxnard D-55E sunburst. My previous acoustic was a rosewood Martin D-16RGT. Very different guitars in terms of neck and sound. Took me a while to get used to the D-55 playing acoustically because I felt it projected sound while the Martin enveloped the player in sound. And it wasn't as loud. I shopped Taylors and Gibsons and the D-28, and the guy at Wildwood Guitars in Colorado described the D-55 as "so articulate". I think that's right on. To me the D-28 is warm and muddy compared to the smooth and clear D-55. I think the tone of the D-55 is improving with age. I mostly play plugged into my PA, and the LR Baggs pickup system is superb - I prefer playing plugged in to acoustically, it's so good. But sounds like you may have the non-pickup version. It smells good too. Enjoy!

Dan,
actually I bought the ‚e‘ version with the Anthem. For what reason ever it was cheaper than the non ‚e‘ version, maybe a mistake. I have Anthems in a SJ-200 and a Hummingbird and LOVE this pickup.
We seem to be two of not many who describe a D-28 as muddy, but that’s what I hear as well. So, it’s great if the D55 is clear sounding!
Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[geoguy]

I would expect your new D-55 to have a very chimey, piano-like tone, not at all muddy.

Hope you enjoy it!

 

[Westerly Wood]

welcome and congrats on the D55.
i also owned an HD-28 one, long time ago, that i never could bond with.

what a great acoustic guitar collection you have had.